Robust signaling networks of the adipose secretome.
Type 2 diabetes is a prototypical complex systems disease that has a strong hereditary component and etiologic links with a sedentary lifestyle, overeating and obesity. Adipose tissue has been shown to be a central driver of type 2 diabetes progression, establishing and maintaining a chronic state of low-level inflammation. The number and diversity of identified endocrine factors from adipose tissue (adipokines) is growing rapidly. Here, I argue that a systems biology approach to understanding the robust multi-level signaling networks established by the adipose secretome will be crucial for developing efficient type 2 diabetes treatment. Recent advances in whole-genome association studies, global molecular profiling and quantitative modeling are currently fueling the emergence of this novel research strategy.
Breitling
Rainer
R
Groningen Bioinformatics Centre, University of Groningen, Kerklaan 30, 9751 NN Haren, The Netherlands. r.breitling@rug.nl
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D055442:Metabolome / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D049490:Systems Biology / Q000379:methods